Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-07-21

tons. she went on: Eve Just had q
letter from Aunt Jane, and she wants
Us TO spend from Saturday to Monday
with her Do let me accept,>aear.
You look quite pale from overwork.
and SO long for sight of the ooun-
try. Do let's get awsy FROM these
noney-lenders and people. aud have
holiday. I'm sure we both want it. :"
Levi has offered me $500 fo- Chloe, +"
began Meglp. gravely.
4 why, that's worse than Mr.. Zerub-
babel-but about Aunt James Mvita-
ton. Angy. May accepta''
Meghp never could refuse his wife
any thing. She had evidently set her
heart upon the visit so. though he
didn't like leaving town at such a
critical moment. he let her have her
own way; and the note accepting Aunt
Jane invitation was written and posted
forthwith
Having called at the picture-framer' 3
and ordered new frame for Chloe. -"
and left the key of the studio with
Mary Anne, the housemaid. with direc-
tiOns to hand over the picture to Mr..
Ormolu's representative. Megilp. and
his wife left town the following after
noon and spent a delightfully."- quiet
Sunday with Aunt Jane at her cottage
in Sussex.
Late on Monday evening the Megilps
returned home ANY one called while
we were away? Any letters, Mary
Anne?" Mrs. Megilp asked, as the
neat hand-maiden met her at the door.
"Oh. yes. mum, if you please" re-
piled Mary Anne, volubly. ION Sat-
urday. soon after you and master left.
Mr.. OrmOlu's young man came for tho
picture-the pretty one with the chick
ems; and this morning came dark
gentleman-a Jewish gentleman. l
should say, mum-the same as called
the other evening when master was out.
And he asst me if he could see masters
pictures; and said yes. l thought he
could. and l showed him into the draw
ing-room. 1 hope I did right, sir,
she added, turning to Megilp.
"Qnite right Which pictures did
you show him, Mary Anne?"
Il asst him to wait a minute" re-
sumed the girl. smoothing her apron
complacently, land l made the studio
look quite nice before showed him in.
l lifted the big picture-the one Of the
| l.,Hv - SOsp
down her back
"Margaret Mending her Stockings"
said Megilp. under his breath
land l put it on the easel. and it
looked beautiful" went Oh the msid.
giibly. 1.-The gentleman seemed very
much took with it; and then he looked
at the little picture"
"Sour Grapes" interpolated Nj
chael Angelo, smiling
land then he asst me for pen ana
ink, and then he set down and
wrote you this letter. SIR Here she
produced from her pocket two letters.
"Thls other came by post this MORN
ing" she added, giving both to him.
Hastily stufiing the post-letter into
his pocket. Megilp tore open Mr.. Ze-
rubbabel's communication. When he
had read 1t, he burst into hearty
laugh. drew his wife into the drawing
room, and shut the door on the aston.
ished Mary Anne.
"Madge! Madge! IFS the best joke
must raise that girls wages five
pounds Il year. and give her gown
or something. Pom my word. you
must. She's done us splendid turn.
Read that!''
He handed the open letter to Mrs
Megilp. 1t ran rs follows:
DEAR SIR: have seen your picture Mar
| garet Mending her Stockings It's taken my
fancy. I'll buy it Of you on the following terms:
! FL remit the bill Of sale and give you ESQ II
you accept bill OF sale RENTED by return Of
post. Wire reply. Yours respectfully.
"MICAH ZERUBBABEI."
perhaps you'd throw in the little picture,
Sour Grapes go is q lot Of money. NJ z"
I'm afraid he has made mistake.
He meant to buy Chloe" said Mrs.
Megilp. uneasily.
Nonsense, my dcar" retorted her
| husband. ''Here he makes me an offer
in black and white for Margaret Mend
ing her Stockings He ought to know
what he wants. l shall wire accept
ance at once. and we'll burn the bill of
sale tomorrow morning."
BY the next mornings post came the
bill of sale and Mr.. Zerubbabers check
for ESQ Mrs Megflp consigned tho
former in solemn silence to the flames,
and her husband put the latter into his
pocket As he did 30, he pulled out
the letter Mary Anne had given him
the evening before. and which in tho
excitement of the moment he had con.
pletely forgotten.
It was from Mr. Abiram Levi, Offering
him f4OO for Chloe Counting her
Chickens.
1T never rains but it pours.
cried the delighted artist, tossing the
picture-dealer's note across 10 his wife.